Seven charged after the biggest drug bust in Saskatoon history

Saskatoon police are calling it the biggest drug bust in the city’s history after seven people were arrested Thursday following a three month investigation by members of the Saskatoon Integrated Drug Unit into a Dial-a-Dope operation.

Nine search warrants were executed at eight residences in the city along with one vehicle, and two Saskatoon residents along with five people from British Columbia were arrested after police discovered large quantities of drugs, weapons and cash.

Police seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 29 grams of heroin, 21 grams of marihuana and more than 1,650 ecstasy pills. All the drugs were pre-packaged for re-sale. Det. Sgt. Dean Hooper of the Integrated Drug Unit said it has been years since such a large amount of heroin has been seen in Saskatoon.

Two prohibited semi-automatic pistols with ammunition, a sawed-off shotgun with ammunitions, along with brass knuckles and bear spray were also seized.

Police also seized approximately $250,000 in cash in the raids.

All seven accused appeared in provincial court Friday on a total of 30 charges.

Alen Kadunic of Surrey, British Columbia is facing charges of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possession of proceeds of crime, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking heroin, possession for the purpose of trafficking ecstasy, three charges of unsafe storage of a firearm, three charges of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, possession of a restricted weapon without a license, two charges of possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition, and three charges of possession of a restricted firearm without a license.

Shahnewaz Khan of Surrey, British Columbia is facing charges of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possession of proceeds of crime, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking heroin, possession for the purpose of trafficking ecstasy, three charges of unsafe storage of a firearm, three charges of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, possession of a restricted weapon without a license, two charges or possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition and three charges of possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.

Eldon Grant of Surrey, British Columbia is facing charges of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possession of proceeds of crime, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking heroin, possession for the purpose of trafficking ecstasy, three charges of unsafe storage of a firearm, three charges of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, possession of a restricted weapon without a license, two charges of possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition and three charges of possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.

Taylor McCandlass of British Columbia is facing charges of trafficking cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime.

Daniel Turchyn of Saskatoon is facing charges of conspiracy to traffic cocaine and trafficking cocaine.

Beverly Shatilla of Saskatoon is facing charges of conspiracy to traffic cocaine and trafficking cocaine.

Victoria Verhoven of British Columbia is facing charges of conspiracy to traffic cocaine and trafficking cocaine.

All of the accused have been remanded into custody for a show cause hearing on March 23, 2011.